USDA Wildlife Services: Stop the Killing of New York's Canada Geese

Thousands of Canada geese have been needlessly slaughtered by USDA Wildlife Services in New York parks, including Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Other major cities around the world are keeping airports safe from potential bird strikes without resorting to lethal methods. Killing the geese is not an effective solution, and will only clear the area temporarily as other geese will repopulate the vacant desirable habitat, undermining the effectiveness of lethal measures.

Aviation experts have reiterated that culls will not improve aviation safety, and proven long-term, non-lethal strategies should be implemented to reduce and remove the physical conditions that attract geese and other wildlife to an airport, ultimately cheaper and safer. Birds can be kept out of the pathways of aircraft by employing proven radar detection systems and dissuasive tactics. Innovative techniques such as habitat modification are being used successfully to discourage populations of geese from colonizing.

Canada geese are beautiful, intelligent birds who mate for life, fiercely protect their eggs and young, and display loyalty for other members of their flock. USDA Wildlife Services uses methods to kill geese that are broadly understood to be grossly inhumane. During the hottest months of the year flightless geese and goslings are corralled, packed into turkey crates and transported to slaughterhouses or gas chambers.

New York State Department of Environmental ConservationBureau of Public Outreach

USDA Wildlife ServicesMartin Lowney

RepresentativeTim Bishop

RepresentativePete King

RepresentativeSean Maloney

RepresentativeSteve Israel

RepresentativeCarolyn Mccarthy 2

RepresentativeGregory Meeks

RepresentativeGrace Meng

RepresentativeNydia Velazquez

RepresentativeHakeem Jeffries

RepresentativeJerrold Nadler

RepresentativeJoseph Crowley

RepresentativeJose Serrano

RepresentativeEliot Engel

RepresentativeNita Lowey

Port Authority of New York and New JerseyPatrick J. Foye (Port Authority of New York and New Jersey)

I am writing to express my opposition to the killing of geese in New York.

Thousands of Canada geese have been needlessly slaughtered by USDA Wildlife Services in New York parks, including Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Other major cities around the world are keeping airports safe from potential bird strikes without resorting to lethal methods. Killing the geese is not an effective solution, and will only clear the area temporarily as other geese will repopulate the vacant desirable habitat, undermining the effectiveness of lethal measures.

Aviation experts have reiterated that culls will not improve aviation safety, and proven long-term, non-lethal strategies should be implemented to reduce and remove the physical conditions that attract geese and other wildlife to an airport, ultimately cheaper and safer. Birds can be kept out of the pathways of aircraft by employing proven radar detection systems and dissuasive tactics. Innovative techniques such as habitat modification are being used successfully to discourage populations of geese from colonizing.

Canada geese are beautiful, intelligent birds who mate for life, fiercely protect their eggs and young, and display loyalty for other members of their flock. USDA Wildlife Services uses methods to kill geese that are broadly understood to be grossly inhumane. During the hottest months of the year flightless geese and goslings are corralled, packed into turkey crates and transported to slaughterhouses or gas chambers.

I urge you to take a stand against the killing of geese and other wildlife in New York parks and at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, and work with aviation experts and animal advocates to develop a plan that is humane and effective.